Isaiah 21

Isaiah 21 prophesies the destruction of the mighty city of Babylon. The chapter begins with a call to watchmen to be alert and ready for an attack. The prophet then envisions the fall of Babylon and the devastating consequences that will follow. The chapter ends with a warning to the people of Edom, who rejoice at the destruction of Babylon but will soon face their own judgment.

Isaiah 21

17
verses
2
min

Bible version

The Fall of Babylon

1 The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.
2 A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.
3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.
4 My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.
5 Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.
6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:
8 And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:
9 And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
10 O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.
11 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.
13 The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.
14 The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
16 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:
17 And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.

Commentary

The book of Isaiah contains many prophecies about the nations surrounding Israel, and this chapter is no exception. The fall of Babylon was a significant event in ancient history, and Isaiah predicted it with accuracy. This chapter serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and judgment over all nations, including those who oppose him. It also emphasizes the importance of humility, as the people of Edom learned when they too faced judgment. Overall, Isaiah 21 is a powerful reminder of God's power and the consequences of disobedience.

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FAQ

Assuming a reader with an average reading speed of 300 WPM reads the Isaiah, chapter 21 it would take approximately 2 minutes to finish.

There are 17 verses in Isaiah, chapter 21.